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    • Basic Accounting

    Basic Accounting Courses Online

    Understand basic accounting principles for managing finances. Learn to prepare financial statements, manage accounts, and ensure compliance.

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    Explore the Basic Accounting Course Catalog

    • Placeholder
      Status: Free
      Free
      U

      University of Lausanne

      Accounting 1

      Skills you'll gain: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flows, Financial Accounting, Cash Management, Financial Statements, Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Bookkeeping, Working Capital, General Accounting, Accrual Accounting, Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      133 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Introduction to Finance and Accounting

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Return On Investment, Financial Statement Analysis, Finance, Financial Reporting, Capital Budgeting, Financial Accounting, Financial Modeling, Working Capital, Balance Sheet, Accrual Accounting, Accounting, Cash Flows, Income Statement, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Financial Analysis, Tax Planning, Equities, Financial Planning, Corporate Finance

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      14K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • U

      University of Virginia

      Financial Accounting Fundamentals

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis, Annual Reports, General Accounting, Accrual Accounting, Income Statement, Financial Analysis, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Bookkeeping, Accounting Records, Cash Flows

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.7K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • I

      IESE Business School

      Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Statements, Income Statement, Accounting, Cash Flows, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Financial Analysis, Financial Reporting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Accrual Accounting

      4.8
      Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
      ·
      3.2K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Introduction to Financial Accounting

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Reporting, Financial Accounting, Balance Sheet, Accrual Accounting, Financial Analysis, Accounting, Cash Flows, Income Statement, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Bookkeeping, Revenue Recognition, Depreciation

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      8.3K reviews

      Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • I

      Intuit

      Bookkeeping Basics

      Skills you'll gain: Bookkeeping, QuickBooks (Accounting Software), Financial Statements, Accounting Software, Financial Accounting, Accounting, Accounting Records, Balance Sheet, Income Statement, General Ledger, Business Ethics, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Cash Flows, Journals

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      5.9K reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

    • Placeholder
      U

      University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

      Fundamentals of Accounting

      Skills you'll gain: Management Accounting, Income Statement, Financial Statements, Performance Measurement, Balance Sheet, Organizational Strategy, Financial Statement Analysis, Capacity Management, Cost Accounting, Performance Metric, Cash Flows, Financial Accounting, Financial Reporting, Financial Analysis, Accounting, Budget Management, Business Metrics, Equities, Operational Analysis, Product Management

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Placeholder
      I

      Intuit

      Intuit Academy Bookkeeping

      Skills you'll gain: Reconciliation, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Inventory Accounting, Payroll, Bookkeeping, QuickBooks (Accounting Software), Inventory Control, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Financial Reporting, Depreciation, Fixed Asset, Payroll Tax, Property Accounting, Accounting Software, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Sales Tax, Accounting

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      7.2K reviews

      Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months

    • Placeholder
      U

      University of Pennsylvania

      Business Foundations

      Skills you'll gain: Operations Management, Return On Investment, Operational Efficiency, Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Finance, Human Capital, Go To Market Strategy, Process Analysis, Branding, People Management, Financial Reporting, Capital Budgeting, Financial Accounting, Operational Performance Management, Consumer Behaviour, Leadership and Management, Marketing Planning, Peer Review, Analysis

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      26K reviews

      Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

    • Placeholder
      C

      Coursera Project Network

      Using Basic Formulas and Functions in Microsoft Excel

      Skills you'll gain: Excel Formulas, Spreadsheet Software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft 365, Business Mathematics

      4.6
      Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
      ·
      2.2K reviews

      Beginner · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    • Placeholder
      P

      Politecnico di Milano

      Fundamentals of financial and management accounting

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Management Accounting, Financial Accounting, Financial Analysis, Balance Sheet, Capital Budgeting, Standard Accounting Practices, Cost Accounting, Income Statement, Cost Management, Cash Flows, Depreciation, Decision Making

      4.7
      Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
      ·
      737 reviews

      Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

    • Placeholder
      C

      Coursera Project Network

      Create a Financial Statement using Microsoft Excel

      Skills you'll gain: Financial Statements, Microsoft Excel, Excel Formulas, Balance Sheet, Financial Data, Income Statement, Bookkeeping, Data Entry, Financial Reporting, Financial Accounting

      4.5
      Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
      ·
      703 reviews

      Intermediate · Guided Project · Less Than 2 Hours

    Basic Accounting learners also search

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    1234…278

    In summary, here are 10 of our most popular basic accounting courses

    • Accounting 1: University of Lausanne
    • Introduction to Finance and Accounting: University of Pennsylvania
    • Financial Accounting Fundamentals: University of Virginia
    • Accounting: Principles of Financial Accounting: IESE Business School
    • Introduction to Financial Accounting: University of Pennsylvania
    • Bookkeeping Basics: Intuit
    • Fundamentals of Accounting: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    • Intuit Academy Bookkeeping: Intuit
    • Business Foundations: University of Pennsylvania
    • Using Basic Formulas and Functions in Microsoft Excel: Coursera Project Network

    Frequently Asked Questions about Basic Accounting

    For those looking to develop a fundamental understanding of accounting, Coursera offers a range of free online courses. The Stanford Introduction to Statistics provides an overview of statistical analysis, while the Principles of Private Equity focuses on private market investing. Finally, Unlocking Market Power provides knowledge on how to identify and exploit key levers of market power.‎

    For those looking to build an understanding of basic accounting principles and practices, these courses provide an excellent starting point: Financial Accounting from Polimi, Financial Accounting from UVA Darden, Basics of Cost Accounting and Product Costing, Accounting Fundamentals Specialization, and Liabilities and Equity in Accounting. All courses are self-paced and offer flexible learning; and each helps to build a sound foundation in basic accounting principles.‎

    If you're looking for an advanced yet basic accounting course, Coursera has a wide range of options. From Accounting Information System and Asset Measurement and Disclosure to Accounts Payable and Receivable Management and Financial Management and Accounting Data Analytics you are sure to find something that fits your needs.‎

    Basic accounting is the everyday financial transactions that a business undertakes. The basic accounting functions of a business involve keeping track of the money that comes into and goes out of the business and its bank accounts. It’s one of the most crucial regular functions of any business, and it includes recording transactions and analyzing cash flow, revenue, expenses, assets, and liabilities. As the business owner or employee who handles the basic accounting tasks, you’ll deal with bank statements and balance sheets, and you’ll report relevant transactions to tax authorities and government regulatory agencies. You may also prepare reports for stockholders or corporate boards.‎

    Basic accounting is vital to the success of businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Owners, investors, executives, and stockholders need to know how successful a business is, and understanding how well a company is performing financially makes business decisions clearer and easier. Tracking income and expenses provides you with insight into how much money your company has at any given moment. Proper accounting helps you to know how much to pay in taxes and whether your company is successful and profitable. Skills in basic accounting also prevent you from making mistakes that can cost the business money. Nonprofits need to be able to report accurate finances to key decision-makers, create and track funding streams, and ensure they maintain their nonprofit status. Government agencies need to be good stewards of taxpayers' money and be accountable for spending.‎

    With basic accounting skills, you can find career opportunities in bookkeeping, accounts payable, and auditing positions. Small businesses often hire employees who can balance all of the company’s finances. Larger corporations everywhere need professionals to keep track of various facets of the accounting process, so you can find jobs handling specific tasks, such as keeping up with the income that comes into a business or paying its bills. Look for opportunities to prepare taxes or handle tax compliance for one or more companies or organizations. There are also jobs that allow you to audit a company’s finances or solve financial mysteries as a forensic accountant.‎

    When you take online courses about basic accounting, you’ll have the chance to pick up the skills and knowledge needed to manage the financial transactions of a business or organization. Learn the foundational concepts and applications of business accounting with survey courses that show you the basics, and when you’re ready to dive deeper, unearth knowledge in more specialized topics like compliance with tax law, how information technology relates to accounting, or data analytics.‎

    Online Basic Accounting courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your existing knowledge or learn new Basic Accounting skills. With a wide range of Basic Accounting classes, you can conveniently learn at your own pace to advance your Basic Accounting career skills.‎

    When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Basic Accounting, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here.‎

    This FAQ content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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